Nikon D3200 versus rival model with similar score

Further readings for the Nikon D3200

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

If you’re shooting Nikon DX and are after a single-lens solution for shooting a wide range of subjects, the new Tamron 16-300mm superzoom is certainly worth a look. Our technicians have been busy putting it through its paces in the lab, so let's take a look at its DxOMark Lens Score and see how it rates compared to the other options on the market.

We’ve tested the new 24-Mpix Nikon D3300 with more than 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses have the best image quality when paired with the new camera.

Nikon’s incremental revisions to their entry-level D3000 series cameras means the latest model, the Nikon D3300 can compete with most other models in the range and should prove tempting against rival offerings. Read on to find out how the 24-Mpix sans AA filter D3300 performs.

With reports in the media of camera manufacturers scaling back on digital compacts due to the rise in popularity of camera-phones and mobile photography, we were curious to see if the Nokia 1020 could offer comparable performance. Read on to find out how this model fares against a range of digital cameras.

Following the lens recommendations for Nikon D7100 and entry-level D3200, we’ve now turned our attention to the new mid-range D5300. We’ve tested the camera with more than 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses have the best image quality when paired with the new camera.

We’ve now had the opportunity to assess the entry-level 24-Mpix Nikon D3200 with a wide range of lenses. We’ve analyzed a total of over 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality, and to discover which of those models perform best on the camera. Read on to find out the models you should be looking to use and which ones you should try to avoid.

Following the recommendations for Nikon D7100, we’ve had the opportunity to assess another of the firm’s 24-Mpix DX format cameras – the mid-range D5200 - with over 120 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses perform best when paired with the camera.

This is the second part of our lens recommendations for the Nikon D7100 where we’ve analyzed nearly 60 Nikkor and third-party standard and portrait prime and zoom models to assess their optical quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses are the best performers when paired with Nikon’s ultra-high resolution 24-Mpix APS-C format semi-pro model.

As a more accessibly priced model, the $499 Pentax K-500 is a pared down variant of the $699 K-50. It lacks the weather-sealed body and adopts AA batteries instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion pack but how well does the 16Mpix sensor perform?

Nikon’s update to the film era AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED boasts an enviable spec, including built-in silent wave AF motor and re-designed optical construction with two ED glass elements. Read on to see how well it performs on the 36-Mpix Nikon D800.

Canon’s lightest and smallest DSLR to date the EOS 100D (aka Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7) is unashamedly aimed at the entry-level market. However, boasting a 2nd-generation ‘Hybrid’ 18-Mpix CMOS sensor and many features of the upper entry-level EOS 700D, this minuscule model is an intriguing proposition. But is it simply a case of cramming in a similar sensor and miniaturizing the rest? Read on to find out. In this review we also reveal the results of the Sony SLT Alpha 37 sensor.

As the boom in hybrid mirrorless cameras continues and some have questioned the future of the entry-level DSLRs, can the launch of the smallest and lightest DSLR to date revitalize this market? We preview the key specifications of the new super small Canon 100D (Rebel SL1) and take a look at the new EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) and updated EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM ‘kit’ lens at the same time.

The Samsung NX20 is a good ‘Hybrid’ APS-C camera, it is a pretty good APS-C camera, and actually it’s not a bad camera by any standards! Unfortunately for the Samsung it is surrounded by other good cameras and needs something special to make it not just a good camera but a successful camera.

After the introduction of the entry-level 24Mpix D3200 early last year it seemed inevitable that the rest of the firm’s APS-C (DX) range would be refreshed with the same sensor. While the gestation of the new 24Mpix D5200 has taken longer than most people could of reasonably predicted, the sensor is, in fact, a new design and the first from a different vendor for Nikon. We’ve recently put the new camera through our labs, read on to see how the new sensor performs.

A noise benchmark of 187 digital cameras by Peter van den Hamer

DxOMark Camera Sensor is a raw benchmark for camera bodies by DxO Labs. The benchmark is “raw” because it measures image quality using Raw output files. It is also raw as DxO’s data can be used to cook up camera reviews that cover more aspects than image quality.

Committed to retaining its sales lead in numerous countries, Canon views its new EOS 650D as a strategically important product. What improvements can we see with respect to its sensor, which Canon claims is new? How does this latest camera in the EOS line compare with its predecessor, the EOS 600D, and with its rivals, the Nikon D3200 and the Sony SLT-A65? The answers lie in our sensor test results for the 650D.

We are already acquainted with the D3200: apart from a few ergonomic details, it’s the same camera as the compact and lightweight D3100 SLR, though missing the secondary display on its bridge for even greater compactness. The D3200 weighs only 454 grams (without battery or card). Unlike the D3100, the D3200’s lens is off-center for better balance and the highly practical LiveView/video mode activation tab of the D3100 and the D5100 has disappeared in favor of a more ergonomically mundane video recording button. The D3200 comes with a second (dorsal) infrared sensor to complement its front sensor for more practical infrared remote control. The motor selection tab (single-frame, burst, timer, remote control) is gone as well, again replaced by a direct-access button.

Comments

D3200 freezes and fails to take pictures

With a new baby on the way, my wife and I sold our D40 and purchased a brand new D3200 in February of 2014.

Shortly after the unboxing we discovered that the D3200 is plagued with problems. On several occasions we have seen:- long boot/start times (approximately 30+ seconds)- camera is non-responsive after taking picture (approximately 30+ seconds)- camera fails to format the memory card (error: invalid memory card)- errors generated while recording video (recording subsequently stops)

I have gone through the troubleshooting process with SanDisk, no luck.

I have tried using 4 different memory cards, and have experienced the same issues with all of them.

Just this week I spoke with a gentlemen who purchased a D3200 (approximately 1 month ago), and he too is experiencing the same issues.

I took 25,000 photographs with my D40, and never experienced anything like this. For the last couple of years, the D3200 has had great reviews. Does anyone know if Nikon has changed their manufacturing process?

Hopefully the D3300 is not plagued with the same issues - after all, both units are very similar.

Nikon D3200 best camera for beginners

i always suggest Nikon D3200 for beginners in photography or for normal use, it's simple to use, provide great image quality (large sensor + 24.2 MP + "guide mode" made by pro photographer, it's help you to use your camera, Same processor chip as the expansive D800 and much more, without forget the low price, this mean you can invest in bag and lenses and memory cards.please note: low price don't mean it's bad camera, Nikon D3200 can be better then Canon cameras under 700$.still not sure about what to choose between Nikon D3XXX sereis, D5XXX, D7XXX and Canon cameras, see this article http://nikond3200news.blogspot.com/2014/06/nikon-d3200-is-it-best-dslr-camera-for-beginner.html

confusing reviews

The D3200 has a much better DxoMark than the Canon 18mp sensors. But the D3200 looks inferior to the T5i in the T5i review (the reviewer sates so). In the "Comparometer" tool, the Nikon 5200 for example looks about the same as the T5i/700d in terms of noise versus detail retention.

Something doesn't add up...look at the "detail" shots at different ISO settings:http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-t5i/canon-t5iA.HTM

Re: More lens for D3200

Lens for D3200

Hello.I am using this camera and very happy with it. I have kit 18-55 and Nikkor 35 1.8. And want to buy new lens which will be good for D3200`s 24MPs sensor (probably Sigma 17-50 F2.8 EX DC OS HSM). But with this camera tested not many lens and results does not make simple to predict how new lens will behave with it. For now tested:

Nikon D3200 -The Most Favored Digital SLR Camera

nikon d3200 is really a nice piece to work with... awesome resolution with flexibility to use with a wide variety of lenses... in case of shopping online you guys can try http://www.electronicbazaar.com.au/

Nikon d3200 image quality

I was wondering how could an entry level camera such as the 3200 receive the same score as a full frame (MkIII). Analyzing Your methodology of scoring, I came to the conclusion that You favor only the highest scores per criteria. For example, the 3200 has DR of 13EV and the MkIII has 12 or so. But, this happens on ISO 100. If You see the chart, pushing the sensitivity further, the results are becoming increasingly more favorable to the MkIII (they're almost equal the D800). I suggest that You integrate the results using the chart integer or obtain the average DR scores per whole ISO range and come with a score reflecting the whole ISO range. Also, if the highest ISO 100 result is of greater importance, give bonus points for that, but don't take it as an isolated result cutting off all the rest DR curve to ISO 12800. If cameras with different high ISO maximum sensitivities are compared, I think that, the curve up to ISO 6400 should be taken (all the newer cameras have ISO 6400). As for the D3200 compared to e.g. 5100, I notice that it is significantly more color blind in high ISO settings than the D5100, something that is not shown in the charts (very odd). Also, check out the red channel, it sucks completely. It is even degraded in basic ISO100 in RAW... As a conclusion, be objective and use the integrated results, not the maximum.

First replies for this comment

Re: Nikon d3200 image quality

That's why it is great that DXO publishes the charts. You can look at them and get the information you need. Some might only shoot at base ISO, others might be more interested high ISO performance. Don't pay much attention to the numerical score.

Nikon D3200 vs. Sony A77

Sony translucent cameras are good for video, not so good for photo, the same sensors show much better result when mirror is opening_Sony A33,A35,A37))),A55,A57,A65,A77 vs. sony A580, Pentax K-5, Nikon D700 & now Nikon D3200. ------------------------------http://photo-wed.blogspot.com/

First replies for this comment

Re: Nikon D3200 vs. Sony A77

They are good for photos too. They offer AF tracking with 10 fps, and they offer lower shutter lag, and no mirror related blur. All of this comes at the cost of 1/2 stop lower score, but you aren't going to see that 1/2 stop with your eyes until ISO 3200 and up.

Re: Nikon D3200 vs. Sony A77

I don`t have A77, but I do have A33&A55 and have to say that at iso 100 I see noise in sunny day while my friend have old minolta maxxum and iso 100 is clear...Noise is the worst thing in a33&a55, everything else is almost perfect !!!-------------------------------------------------------------------http://photo-wed.blogspot.com/

First replies for this comment

Re: Same as Canon 5D Mark III

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D3200">this page on the website</a></div>A $700 dollar camera scores the same as a $3500 camera. Canon is really falling behind in sensor technology.

Its just score, it doesnt mean that much. In real life, its not terribly usable camera. Very small = bad handling with most lenses. Miniature OVF compared to 100% big OVF in 5DMK3. 4 FPS and shallow buffer. AF will be "so-so" as is usual in begginers camera.

SNR at base ISO is 36.5 dB. Which means its noisy even at base ISO (common trait to these sensors). Even CFA, which was decent in Nikon cameras is crappy (cause its optimised for high ISO.. well in this case to make base ISO usable :D). AA filter from sample photos doesnt seem exactly great.

Those last things are same for 5DMK3 too. Low quality CFA and AA filters. Or rather say, specificaly chosen both for high ISO performance and causing camera to be near color blind.

So overall. This thing is usable as camera, but I wouldnt like it even for free. Canon offerings in starter/begginer segment is similary crappy tho. But this thing is no threat to 5DMK3. :D

If there is some threat to 5DMK3, then its D800. But truth is that in reality D800 and 5DMK3 are quite different cameras for different customers. Both can do same things, but each of them is more suitable for different scenarios.

I agree that Canon current generation of sensors is falling behind. But truth is, that there are now "new" sensors. Everything is just re-hash of old technology. I think Canon is simply trying to milk customers as much as possible. Nikon cant do that, cause 1) they are Sony dependant 2) they dont want to loose customers.

Im not worrying about Canon not being able to create some next-gen sensor. They are, they just dont want to release it before they squeeze maximum from last generation.

Re: Same as Canon 5D Mark III

Quote:

Its just score, it doesnt mean that much. In real life, its not terribly usable camera. Very small = bad handling with most lenses. Miniature OVF compared to 100% big OVF in 5DMK3. 4 FPS and shallow buffer. AF will be "so-so" as is usual in begginers camera.

Im not worrying about Canon not being able to create some next-gen sensor. They are, they just dont want to release it before they squeeze maximum from last generation.

The first part you are correct. A number is a number. It indicates how far ahead Sony / Nikon are ahead of Canon in that regard. The AF, metering, handling, etc in the MK III absolutely crushes the D3200. By FAR the 5D MKIII is the better camera.

You must be smoking some good stuff on the second part though. Canon is simply not able or doesn't want to inject money into its development team to produce a comparable sensor to the Sony sensor tech. This is a huge disadvantage to them and they must be feeling the heat. This type of technology takes YEARS to develop and you cannot let a competitor run away with the technology thinking you'll just milk some customer for a while and catch up later. Ask RIM, the maker of Blackberry, how that all turned out for them...

Re: Same as Canon 5D Mark III

Its just score, it doesnt mean that much. In real life, its not terribly usable camera. Very small = bad handling with most lenses. Miniature OVF compared to 100% big OVF in 5DMK3. 4 FPS and shallow buffer. AF will be "so-so" as is usual in begginers camera.

Im not worrying about Canon not being able to create some next-gen sensor. They are, they just dont want to release it before they squeeze maximum from last generation.

The first part you are correct. A number is a number. It indicates how far ahead Sony / Nikon are ahead of Canon in that regard. The AF, metering, handling, etc in the MK III absolutely crushes the D3200. By FAR the 5D MKIII is the better camera.

You must be smoking some good stuff on the second part though. Canon is simply not able or doesn't want to inject money into its development team to produce a comparable sensor to the Sony sensor tech. This is a huge disadvantage to them and they must be feeling the heat. This type of technology takes YEARS to develop and you cannot let a competitor run away with the technology thinking you'll just milk some customer for a while and catch up later. Ask RIM, the maker of Blackberry, how that all turned out for them...[/quote]

Not really. I know what Canon is capable to develop. I agree that their marketing "milk cusotmers and let competitor do whatever they want" is really stupid in long term. Im not sure how it will end for them. Seeing on DPreview as most commenters are super-happy about near useless 650D. :D Well I guess it works for Canon. I will stick to camera that can give me best image.. Which kinda exclude all today Canons. :/

Not that good..

I unlike others prefer good colors. With metamerism index of this thing, I might aswell buy m4/3s. Nikon with this camera seems to follow Canon way of "near-color-blind" cameras. Just hope they will do some D400 with same sensor but radicaly improved CFA.

First replies for this comment

Re: in addition...

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D3200">this page on the website</a></div>Also the raw file is 12bit compressed, not lossless but the worst one.

What do you mean, it's not a truly RAW (the exact signal captured) like let's say in my actual D3100 ?

test

I`m waiting for testing of the new D3200 (Sony 24 mp sensor). Will it be also noisy as Sony A65 & A77 ? If so - bad sensor, if not - bad translucent mirror !I`m waiting for test shots.---------------------------http://photo-wed.blogspot.com/

Mistake

D3200 sensor

I think you are wrong about the identity of this sensor, it is not the Sony NEX sensor - at least it does not look like an Exmor and it is a different size. I think when you come to test it, it will show more in common with the D4 sensor than the Sony ones.

First replies for this comment

Re: D3200 sensor

Re: D3200 sensor

Quote:

I think you are wrong about the identity of this sensor, it is not the Sony NEX sensor - at least it does not look like an Exmor and it is a different size. I think when you come to test it, it will show more in common with the D4 sensor than the Sony ones.

I am also trying to figure that out, therefore my question: What do you mean with "it does not look like an Exmor"? And also, in what respect will it have something in common with the D4 sensor? I can't make much sense out of this, since the D3200 and the D4 sensors are about as far apart (spec-wise) as I can imagine (24MP on DX format vs. 16MP on FX format)